USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > History of the town of Westford, in the county of Middlesex, Massachusetts, 1659-1883 > Part 8
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we are deprived of our most valuable Rights and Privilidges which is contained in our Charter as we humbly conceive, and to have our properties Judged and determined by Strangers to us; that the investing the Authority in the Courts of Admiltry to Deside in Suites Relating to Stamp Duties and other matters to their Jurisdiction, is highly Dangerous to us his Majesty's subjects and our Lyberties. We humbly think that we are intituled to all the Lyberties, Rights, and Privilidges of his Majesties subjects in Great Britain or Elsewhere, and that our Constitution of Gover- ment in the Province is founded on the natural Rights of Mankind and the noble Princaples of English Lyberty, and therefore is or ought to be perfectly free. We therefore think it our indispensable Duty to ourselves and our Dear Children as it is our undoubted Privilidge, in the most open and unreserved manner but in Decent and Respectfull termes to Declare our Great Dissatisfaction with this Stamp Act, and we think it incumbent on you by no means to Joyne in any measure for countenancing and assisting in the execu- tion of sd Act ; but to use your Best Endeavours to have the Rights and Privilidges of the people asserted and vindicated and Left on Record that our children after us may not charge us with the guilt of Tamely giving our Rights and Privilidges away. We further instruct you that you take care that the money in the Province Treasury which is Drawn from the People of this Province may not be applied to any other purpose but what was Evedantly intended in the Act for Supplying the treasury. As to other things of less importance we leave you to act as you think proper ; as you in your wisdom shall think best for your constitutants.
TIMOTHY FLETCHER, Moderator."
" Recorded by John Abbott, Town Clerk."
The Stamp Act was passed by the British Parliament, March 8, 1765, and this protest against it was made in the following October. Thus promptly did the patriots of West- ford denounce and resist it.
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HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
Not long after this the town passed the following vote to encourage industry.
" January 18, 1768. Whereas the Town of Boston hath made the very agreeable and most Important motion (and agreed) to prevent Excessive Use of foreign Superfluities , and to Promote and Incourage Industry and the Produce and Mannufactures of this Province-for which motion we the Inhabitants of the Town of Westford now assembled Do" Return our most Hearty thanks to the Town of Boston; therefore voted to concur with the Town of Boston in that most important Plan (laid by sd Boston) to Incourage Industry &c, and to Prevent the use of foreign Superflui- ties &c."
".March 5, 1770. Chose Capt. Jonas Prescott, Capt. Samuel Fletcher, Dea. John Abbott, Mr. Ebenezer Stone & Mr. Thomas Comings as a Committee to take under their consideration the affair Relating to Incouraging Industry and Disaproveing of Importing Goods from Great Britain, and make report."
" Upon report of the Committee appointed to take into their consideration the article of the warrant Relating to encouraging Industry and Discouraging the Importation of British Goods &c., -Voted unan [imously ] that In Imitation of the Laudable example of several Towns of this Province in promoting Frugality & Encouraging Industry, we Do Highly approve of [and] concur with the Patriotic, Com- mendable, and disinterested agreement of the merchants of the Towns of Boston, Charlestown &c in not importing any goods or Commodities from Great Britain (a few Necessary articles Excepted) as the most direct and legal means of Securing to us our Constitutional Rights & Privilidges and Redressing those Grievances which arise from an Act of Parliment in Imposing Duties on several articles in order to Raise a Revenue in America. Voted unan'y not to Purchase or Procure either direcly or indirectly any Goods or Com- modities of any of those persons who have audaciously Counteracted the Laudable Design of the body of
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merchants in this province or of any that shall Hereafter endeavour to Counteract the aforesd Laudable Design by Importing any goods or Commodities contrary to the aforesd Patriotic, Commendable, disinterested agreement, and do esteem not only those audacious Importers but all and every such person or persons as shall Procure or Purchase any goods whatever of the aforesd Importers as enemies to their „country and better calculated for Vassalage than Trade or the Free Enjoyment of their Rights and Privilidges.
" Voted unan'y that whereas the chief support of the C-n-rs [Councillors] arises from the Duty laid on Bohea Tea, not to Purchase or to use the afore sd Tea (cases of necessity excepted) till such time or times as the Reasons for Non-Importation may be Removed."
"January 12, 1773. Voted as follows: Whereas we have received from the Town of Boston a pamphlet contain- ing the proceedings of said Town in consequence of a rumor which now, alas ! we find to be too true, viz. that the judges of the Superiour Court are made not only indepen[den]t of the people but absolutely dependent on the crown for their support-this we apprehend to be a very Dangerous inova- tion and if continued may be attended with the most Dierful consequences : Voted that this Town heartily join in senti- ments with their Boston Brethren and are of opinion that our rights appear to be stated by them with great perspicuity and candor, and are sorry they are obliged to say that the infringements and violations of sd rights are too notorious to be denied. That a Committee be chosen to correspond with Boston or any other Town as occasion may require, that so their may be a free communication of sentiments throughout the province. That this Committee consist of the five fol- lowing gentlemen, viz. Mr. Samuel Gardner, Capt. Jona- than Minot, Deacon John Abbott, Dr. Asaph Fletcher and Mr. Nathaniel Boynton. That this Committee be desired to Return a respectfull answer to the Boston committee, expres- sive of the great obligations we are under to the Town of Boston in general and to them in particular for their noble
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and generous exertions in the cause of their country, and of our readiness to coincide with them in any measures that may be concluded upon as Best for the Redress of those grievances so justly complained of. That as the general court is now. sitting, our Representative is hereby instructed to use his utmost endeavours for the removal of those griev- ances which if persisted in, threaten this country with entire ruin. That the thanks of this Town be given to that disin -. terested patriot, the Hon. John Hancock Esq. for his care and zeal discovered upon this occasion and for the many sacrifices 'he has made to the cause of Liberty : and who, altho' a gentleman of independent fortune (perhaps not inferiour to any of the Marblehead gentry) can with the greatest pleasure and satisfaction see others Live and enjoy the sweets of life as well as himself. That an attested coppy of these our proceedings be transmitted to the Boston Com- mittee and that the above gentlemen be Desired to enclose them in their letter to sd Committee, and forward them as soon as may be.
JOHN ABBOTT, Moderator.
" The above said votes were all unanimously passed in a very full meeting.
Recorded by ZAC. WRIGHT."
This, so far as the records show, was the first Commit- tee of Correspondence appointed by the town. Some of the best citizens were members of it, from time to time, and it was the medium of communication with other patriotic men throughout the province for several years.
The following paper, prepared by Dr. Asaph Fletcher, one of the Committee, was adopted by the town :
"March 30, 1774. Wee inhabitants of the town of Westford being Requested by the Com" of correspondence for the town of Boston to give our sence of the present Gloomey situation of our Publick affairs, Do find it incum- bent on us to comply with so Reasonable and interesting a request, although we can truly say it is with no small regret that we are so frequently Reduced to the unhappy alterna-
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INCORPORATION TO BEGINNING OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
tive either to yield compliance with the Iron chains of Slavery or by manly opposition to oppose the same: but in faithful- ness to our country, ourselves, and Posterity we hold our- selves obligated according to the utmost of our abilities to make Repeated oppisitions against Repeated attempts to extinguish the just Rights and Liberties of this people, or every attempt to annialate our freedom the Price of which was no less than the price of Blood, even the precious Blood of our worthy ancestors.
" Whatever may have been the motive, it is very apparent that the conduct of the British Administration for some years past and in many Respects hath not comported with their good Regards and Desire for the continuance of our Ameri- can Lyberties, and the assiduity of their plotting the extort- ing of our money and consequently the compleating of our bondage seems to be obviously confirmed by a Late act of the British Parliment impowering the East India Company to export their teas to America, subject to a duty for the express purpose of Receiving a Revenue &c. But behold- ing the general union of the colonies with their uninterrupted exertions in the cause of Lyberty, so inspires our Breasts that we are constrained in a perticular manner to essert our readiness on all Necessary occations to unite with the colinies in general and with this Province in perticular in every constitutional method for the Redress of our greavances and the continuance of our Lyberties : tho' by all which we do not mean to approve of any Riotous or Disorderly conduct or in the least to indicate any Disregard to our Soverain Majesty or the Dignity of his crown. Neither do we Plead for anarchy, but we seek the enjoyment of those charter Privilidges which Americans have long enjoyed heretofore, in which time a happy Harmony subsisted between Great Britain and her colinies. It is the opinion of this town that if the plan of administration so far succeed as that the general Use of Dutied tea should take place among the colonies, it would be attended with very Distructive con- sequences ; nor do wee think that their are any good advantages that acrue from the use of Endia tea, considered
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HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
without a duty which might not be obtained from vegetable plants of our own production and cultivation. Therefore Resolved that we will not for the futere Purchase or use ourselves or approve to be used in our families any tea or teas whatsoever, subject to a duty untill such Duty shall be Repealed.
I. " Voted that our Selectmen be and hereby are De- sired to withhold their approbation for License for Retailing or tavern keeping to all such Person or persons as shall Refuse to comply with the aforesd Resolve.
2. " Voted that the thanks of this town be given to the patriotick inhabitants of the town of Boston for their con- tinued exertions in the cause of Lyberty.
3. " Voted that the committee of correspondence for the town of Boston be and hereby are informed that Mr. Samuel Gardner who was formerly chairman of the commit- tee of correspondence for this town, by Reason of his removal from this town, was by a vote passed at our annual meeting in March last Dismissed from that service, and Mr. Zaccheus Wright, by a vote passed at the same meeting, was substituted in his Room.
" But before we conclude we cannot forbear to mention that the Late conduct of Peter Oliver Esq. cheife Justice of the Superior court of this Province, by his Refuseing the free grants of this Province for his service, in taking his Sallary out of the Revenue chest &c seems very alarming. There- fore that the aforesd Peter Oliver Esq. by his Late conduct in Refuseing the grants of this Province for his service as cheife Justice, and in taking a Sallary out of those Revenues which ware unconstitutionally extorted from this People without their consent and by his Declarition of Doing so in the future hath merited the full Resentment of the People of this Province and their non-confidence in him and has given the greatest cause for their uneasiness untill he shall be removed from the office of Cheife Justice.
" Recorded by order of the town of Westford
JOHN ABBOT, Town Clerk."
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"July 4, 1774. Voted unanimously to take under our consideration the Papers sent from Boston to our town in consequence of sd Boston Harbour being Blocked up. Voted unanimously that the covenant lastly sent to Westford (with some small alteration thereon) should be signed by our town.
" Voted that the Covenant signed by the inhabitants of Westford Relating to Boston affairs be kept or Left in the town Clerk's hands During the town's Pleasure, and also to Return the names of those who do not sine this paper.
" The following votes were passed by the town altho no article was in the warrant to suport the same, but the town desired that a minitue of the same should be kept of them. Voted unanimously that the proportion of money due from our town to suport the committee of congress be taken out of our town treasury and paid.
" Voted unanimously to hold thursday the fourteenth day of July current as a day of fasting in this town, and further- more If Mr. Hall Decline the same, then to imploy some sutiable person to cary on the Solemnities of sd Day.
" Voted also that the Selectmen provide a new stock of powder and ball and flints for this town's use." .
The following order of the Selectmen, dated January 23, 1775, makes it probable that Rev. William Emerson, of Con- cord, was called to attend the Fast :
" Pay to Mr. Jonathan Keep the sum of £1-15-6-3 for what he paid Mr. Emerson for preaching our fast last summer."
Another order, dated September 8, 1774, shows that the vote to pay "the committee of congress " was carried out.
" Pay to the Hon. Thomas Cushing of Boston the sum of £1-13-I for our town's proportion to the five hundred pounds granted by the general Court for the use of the Gentlemen appointed for the Congress Committee."
" September 8, 1774. Chose Capt. Joseph Read and Mr. Zaccheus Wright as a Provincial Committee to meet
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HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
with sd committe or agents at the time and place of their meetings."
" November 25, 1774. Voted not to pay our town's proportion of the Province tax assessed on the inhabitants of Westford to Mr. Harrison Gray treasurer, nor for the asses- sors to make any Return to Mr. Gray our former treasurer.
" Voted that our town pay their proportion of the Province tax to Mr. Henry Gardener Province treasurer appointed by the Provincial Congress, and that the con- stables of sd Westford pay their proportion of sd tax to Mr. Gardner upon their Receiving a confirmation from the Provincial Congress."
The Second Meeting-House. Numerous alterations and repairs had been made upon the old house during the forty-four years that had passed since its erection, but they were not of sufficient importance to be noticed here. The new house which the town undertook to build proved the occasion of much contention, and was destined to have a much shorter history.
"September 19, 1768. Voted Not to repair ye old meeting house for a Number of Years.
"Voted to Build a New meeting House.
" Voted to chuse five men as a Comtt to Treat with some proper workman to see How Bigg to Build the sd meeting House & What form to build it.
" Voted and chose Capt. Samuel Fletcher, Dea. John Abbott, Ens. Amos Fletcher, Mr. Nath! Boynton & Mr. Jona. Minot a Com" on the above affair Relating to Building a New meeting House and to make Report to ye Town this day six weeks at one of ye clock in ye afternoon to which Time the meeting was adjourned."
" October 31, 1768. Voted to Build a Meeting House sixty feet Long and forty five feet wide and 26 or 27 feet posts. .
" Voted to raise one Hundred & Twenty pounds L. M. to provide Bords and other Nessessarys for ye Building of
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the sd meeting house and to be paid into ye Treasury by ye first day of June next.
" Voted to chuse five men to manage ye affair Relating to sd House and chose Capt. Samuel Fletcher, Dea. John Abbott, Mr. Thos Cumings, Nath! Boynton & Jona Minot a Comt to prepare such things as should be Needful for ye Building of the sd meeting House according to their best skill and judgment."
This was the first step in a long series of municipal acts in which the people had little unanimity, as the records plainly show. A year passed away before any thing was really done except to prepare materials.
"September 25, 1769. Voted to set the New meeting house the back side of the old meeting house about sixteen feet from Capt. Pollard's land.
" Voted to let out the New meeting house fraim to Build by the great [gross or job] to some man or men that will do it the cheepest."
" November 21, 1769. Voted to set up a fraim for a New meeting house and underpin the same by the first of September next.
" Voted that the sd New meeting house frame shall be sixty three feet long and forty four feet wide.
" Voted to build three porches to sd meeting house.
" Voted that the Committee chosen in Sept 1768 to provide Stuff for a New meeting house shall be a Committee to let out the sd meeting house fraim to build by the great."
" January ye 2 : 1770. Voted to sell the Pews or Pew- ground in the New meeting house that shall be built, to the freeholders of Westford to the Highest bidders."
" March 5, 1770. Voted that the Committee appointed to underpin the New meeting house shall take as many of
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HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
the stones now under the old meeting house as they think proper."
" April 3, 1770. Voted to Raise the New meeting house fraim about the middle of June next if ready to Raise. Chose Capt. Benjamin Fletcher, Daniel Raymond, Ephraim Comings, Timothy Prescott, Oliver Bates, Pelatiah Fletcher and Ephraim Hildreth ye 3ª as a Committee to take into consideration and make inquiry what meathod is best to Raise the New meeting house fraim."
" May 10, 1770. Voted to raise without geens. Chose Capt. Sam! Fletcher, Jacob Robinson, Moses Burge, Benjamin Fletcher & Amos Fletcher as a Committee to provide subsistence for the men that are chosen to raise the new meeting house fraim ; and David Fletcher, Pelatiah Fletcher & Henry Wright Jun. a committee to prepair all Necessary articles to raise . withal Except Spick poles. Voted to have one hundred spick poles prepared."
"June 4, 1770. Voted to Raise the New meeting house the third Wednesday of this Instant June. Chose Capt. Jonas Prescott, Dea. John Abbott, Lt. Sam! Read, Cort Thomas Kidder, Thomas Comings and Ephraim Comings as a Committee to attend the workmen at the raising of the New meeting house and to keep off the People out of the way of Hindering the men that shall raise sd meeting house."
In accordance with the vote of June 4th, the meeting- house was raised on the 20th of June, 1770; and at a meet- ing held July 12th the town voted " to accept the new meet- ing house fraim with the fice and Sleepers that are Necesary to put into sd fraim. Voted the thanks of the Town to the several Committees for their service, that was chosen by the Town to build the house and underpin the same. Voted to bord and shingle the New meeting house and lay the lower floor this year. Voted to compleat the finishing by the first of October 1771. Chose Capt. Jonas
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Prescott, Capt. Joseph Read, Nath! Boynton, Thomas Com- ings and Thomas Kidder Committee to finish the house and to let out the said finishing to some faithful workman by the great."
" September 24, 1770. Voted to chuse a vandue Master to sell at Public Vandue or to the highest bidders the several proportions of pew-ground."
Against this action the following protest was entered on the records :
" September 24, 1770. We the subscribers being In- habitants of the Town of Westford and Voters . . Do Desent Against the vote for selling the pews or the pew- ground in the New meeting house or fraim, we having an interest in said pew-ground.
"JONAS PRESCOTT, and 16 others."
This protest seems to have been heeded.
" October 19, 1770. . Voted and granted to Capt. James Pollard and others 25 wall pews for two hundred and sixty- six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence."
At a meeting held February II, 1771, an attempt was made to sell these pews a second time, and this called out a protest signed by James Pollard and twenty-four others.
" March 4, 1771. Voted and granted to Amos Hildreth and fifteen others sixteen pews behind the body seats below for one hundred and fifty pounds."
It is just to conclude, that for a time, at least, the " body seats " or pews in the middle of the house, were held by the town, while others were sold to individuals.
Damage by Lightning. " August 13, 1771. Voted and chose the three first Selectmen to be a Committee to Repair the breach in the new meeting house Lately made by
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HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
Litning. Voted to sell some part of the old meeting house when it can be spaired conveniantly. Voted that the Comte and Mr. Samuel Hall shall build the pews back of the body of seats and the seats and alleys in proportion of Room as they are in Medford meeting house."
" October 3, 1771. Voted and granted the frunt gallery pews as follows : the east side of the Doore-the Ist to Isaac Comings, the 2nd to Daniel Goodhue, ye 3rd to Samuel Butter- field, 4th to Josiah Fletcher, the west side of the Doore-first Benjamin Read, the 2nd to Gershom Fletcher Jun., 3rd to William Butterfield Jr., 4th to David Goodhue."
" December ye 23ª 1771. Voted to accept of the New meeting house as it is finished, excluding the painting and glaizing, provided Mr. Hall make no demand on the Town any further than the agreement with the Committe."
" Voted that the Reverend Willard Hall shall have the use of the first pew next the pulpit stairs so long as he supplies the pulpit.
" Voted that Maddam Hall shall have a seat in the pew adjoining the pulpit stairs provided she outlives the Reverend Willard Hall, so long as she remains his widdow.
" Voted that Mr. Aaron Parker Jr. shall have the old meeting house for twenty pounds lawful money. Chose Capt. Joseph Read, Lt. Amos Fletcher and Timothy Pres- cott to be a Committe to seat the new meeting house.
" Voted to seat according to pay, age, and honour.
" Voted that real, personal estate, money, and facculty be Reconed as pay.".
It appears that Samuel Hall was the master-builder or contractor who undertook the work; but his residence and personal history cannot be ascertained from the records. The house was only partly finished when it was accepted by the town. It was occupied as early as December, 1771. The first child who was baptized in it was Elijah Wright,
INCORPORATION TO BEGINNING OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 101
son of Henry Wright, Jr., born November 26th and bap- tized December 22, 1771, by Rev. Willard Hall. There is no hint in the records, either civil or ecclesiastical, of any service of dedication.
" March 2, 1772. Voted to confirm the former titles of all the pews in the new meeting house to the purchasers of sd pews for them their heirs and assigns, for the sums of money allready paid into the treasury by said purchasers. " October 1, 1773. Pay to Jonas Prescott Esq., Nathaniel Boynton, Thomas Comings and Cort Thomas Kidder the sum of £10 for their service and expense in letting the finishing of the new meeting house."
The old house, which was sold to Aaron Parker, Jr., was removed to South Chelmsford, and used by the Baptist Church and Society as a house of worship for many years ; and when a new house took its place, it was removed to the farm of James Robbins, where it is now used for a barn.
CHAPTER III.
THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION-ACTION OF THE TOWN IN REFERENCE TO IT- SOLDIERS IN THE ARMY - FORMATION OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION, AND VOTES OF THE TOWN IN REGARD TO IT.
THE period of the Revolution was one of great signifi- cance in the history of this town, in common with all other towns of the county and province. Westford troops took part in the first acts of armed resistance to British aggres- sion at Concord and Bunker Hill; and in the long contest which followed, the citizens were enthusiastic in the cause of civil liberty, and worked zealously and perseveringly to secure their grand object. With the exception of three men, there was entire unanimity of feeling and action. Two of these soon repented and espoused the cause of their country. The third was Rev. Willard Hall, the first pastor, who remained steadfast in his loyalty to the king until he died, in
I779. But they deplored the necessity of a resort to arms, as the records plainly show. They counted the cost before they began. They knew that stern endeavor and unflinch- ing resolution were necessary to success; but when once convinced that war was inevitable, they entered the contest with a just conception of the sacrifices which it involved. For they were strong-hearted, believing men, who trusted in . God and gave up their property and their lives in battling for their rights.
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